This blog is to help local photographers find events that are photogenic, a possible opportunity to get the camera out and get a few great shots. If you know of upcoming events in Southern California, Email them to cowtech@earthlink.net

Friday, April 6, 2012

Through April 22 Santa Anita Race Track - Arcadia
Early mornings before the races, go to Clockers Corner where you can see all the horses going to the track for practice. Get great close up shots and images of the horses runing the track. Also on weekends FREE tram tour, Board the Seabiscuit Tram at Clockers Corner and take a tour of the stable area, receiving barn and Paddock Gardens. See Seabiscuit's original stall and barn, areas used during the filming of the movie Seabiscuit, the jockeys room, silks room, saddling paddock and walking ring with its topiaries and statuary. Meet the equine star of Seabiscuit, Fighting Furrari, who played the primary role in the film. See the carriage horses in their home under the grandstand. Truly a unique experience you will not soon forget. Tours depart at 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday during the Santa Anita season, excluding Super Bowl Sunday and Derby Day. Season ends April 22nd. http://www.santaanita.com

April 2012

Through April 15 Butterflys at Wild Animal Park - Escondido
Every Spring the Wild Animal Park has a small Butterfly House, Butterfly Jungle. Get there when the park opens, by lunch the lines are a mile long. Also the butterflys are less active in the morning when the air is still cool so images are easier to get, when it gets warm, they don't sit still for long. Good selection but small.

Through May 13 - Flower Fields - Carlsbad
Check ahead on condition of flowers. I drove by here on March 3rd and didn't see any blooms.
For many years the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch have been a favorite location to photograph the ranunculuses each spring. The ranch offers tours as well as special events such as Kid's Day and an Arts & Craft fair. The hillside looks like a carpet of color with 50 acres of extraordinary color in bloom on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with a special nursery, garden, and gift shop. Address is 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008 off Hwy. From Los Angeles and Orange County:
Head south on Interstate 5 to Palomar Airport Road exit. Head east (left turn) on Palomar Airport Road to Paseo Del Norte and turn left. Make an immediate right into the parking lot. Visit www.theflowerfields.com for more information. Hours 9-6.

April 7-May 20 - Renaissance Pleasure Faire - Irwindale
One of the largest Renaissance Fairs in the area for seven weekends on 20 acres. Many performances each weekend on 14 stages. Great place to spend the day photographing the many fair goers and artisians in period dress. Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area,15501 Arrow Hwy - Irwindale. www.renfair.com/socal.

April 14 - Doheny Wood (car show) - Dana Point
Great chance to take pictures of classic Woodies. The 2012 show is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 2011. The meet will be held at Doheny State Beach beginning at 8 AM and concluding at 3 PM. Doheny State Beach is located in Dana Point Harbor area at 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629. The woodie meet will be held at the south end of the park. $15.00 park entry fee, no charge for the show. http://socalwoodies.com/doheny.htm

Apr 15 – Orange Plaza Car Show - Orange
18th Annual Car Show in downtown Orange surrounds the circle with beautiful classic cars, More than 425 pre-1975 custom, classic, hot rod and street rods will be on display. There is no admission fee for spectators. Time: 8 am to 3 pm. Location: Chapman and N. Glassell. carshow@orangesunriserotary.org. 425 pre-1975 Street Rods, Custom and Classic vehicles will be on display. The show is estimated to bring out 15,000+ spectators to the beautiful Plaza area in the City of Orange. It is a wonderful event for the entire family to enjoy. Local restaurants and shops will welcome all in attendance. There is no admission fee for spectators. http://www.orangesunriserotary.org/orangeplazacarshow/abouttheshow.html

April 21 - Veterans Parade - Riverside
Floats, bands, equestrians, marching units, military vetrans and a flyover begins at Magnolia Ave and Ramona Drive 10AM-Noon. Staging area is the lower Riverside City College Parking lot. www.asalutetovetrans.com

April 21-22 - San Bernardino Railroad Days - San Bernardino
Amtrack and BNSF trains, a steam engine, railroad artifacts, reenactors, food, music and vendors. On April 21st and 22nd, 2012, a steam powered excursion train will be operated to San Bernardino Railroad Days, sponsored by the San Bernardino History & Railroad Museum. The steam special will be operated from Los Angeles to San Bernardino on Saturday April 21st, departing at 10:00 am, over the Metrolink San Gabriel Subdivision. The train will return Sunday April 22nd, departing at 3:00 pm, from San Bernardino. San Bernardino Depot, 1170 W Third St. www.sbdepotmuseum.com

April 21-22 - Las Mariposas Civil War Days - Mariposa
Don't miss the most Authentic Civil War reenactment west of the Rockies! The location of our event is Longs' Mariposa Ranch, in historical Mariposa, CA, just outside of Yosemite National Park and on the location of the Las Mariposas Land Grant. There will be a battle reenactment on Friday complete with tactical foot and horse skirmishes and cannon fire Saturday and Sunday are both jammed full of events including two battles each day, AND a twilight battle on Saturday night. Throughout both days there will be a multitude of other events happening at the camps which the public are invited to attend and observe. Experience first hand a medical station, a blacksmith, a civilian town, cooking and sewing, and other aspects of life during this historical period. Don't miss hearing Abraham Lincoln recite the Gettysburg Address or Jefferson Davis as he dispels the rumors from the Federal Camp. Listen to Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Clara Barton describe their lives and what it was like to be a slave. A variety of period sutlers and food vendors will be on site. For more information, please visit our website, www.thecivilwardays.com

April 21-29 - National Park Week - USA
If you are traveling this week, entrance fees into the National Parks will be free for all 392 National Parks. In addition, many national park concessioners are offering special promotions that are certain to add to your fun. http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

April 28-29 - Pierce College Heritage Days (civil war reeanactment) Woodland Hills

Visitors will view exciting cavalry charges, artillery barrages, and infantry assaults that were part of America's watershed event, one that transformed a mere union of states into a nation! Throughout each day, demonstrations and presentations will take place, including Victorian dancing, military drill, and skills and crafts from the era. Historical notables from the past will address all of those present, and President Lincoln will give his famous Gettysburg Address as part of a grand "Living History" program. After seeing reenactors and historical personages who appear as if they have leaped from the pages of history books, visitors will leave the event with a far better appreciation of the political issues, the aspects of daily life, and the great sacrifices and hardships endured by both sides in this greatest of American conflicts, the consequences of which still affect our country today. 10 AM-5PM, 6201 Winnetka Avenue,http://www.civilwaralliance.com/CWA/PierceCollege.html

MAY 2012

May 5-6 - Planes of Fame Air Show - Chino

7000 Merrill at the Chino Airport. Gates open 8AM-5PM, Show 11AM to 4PM.
Come experience the excitement! This year’s show will feature over 40 historic aircraft performing for your enjoyment as well as a salute to 100 years of Naval aviation. U.S. Naval Aviation Centennial events honor a century of mission-ready men and women and recognize their unique aviation-related achievements. During this yearlong, national celebration of Naval Aviation, Planes of Fame Air Museum, in conjunction with the County of San Bernardino, is proud to present "Air Show 2011: Celebrating 100 years of U.S. Naval Aviation". http://www.planesoffame.org/index.php?page=general-info. $20.00 at the Gate, Parking is Free.

May 12 - June 17 Weekends. Koroneburg Old World Festival - Corona

This is my favorite renaissance fair located at Riverview Park, off River Road. They have permanent buildings that make great backdrops, lots of shade, flat walking area. This is a smaller event than the one in Irwindale. I think this makes for better images. Lots of entertainment. Meet hundreds of family members living, working & playing in Southern California’s only permanent Renaissance Village! Visitors to this 1450-1600 European Village are entertained, discover fine arts and crafts, and enjoy delectable food and beverages. The setting is the fictitious estate of the Baron Heinrich Von Lauffer, located along the Rhine river (aka Santa Ana River) between Mainz and Strasbourg. Each year the Baron invites the finest minds and most talented actors to celebrate the coming of spring at his Barony of Koroneburg. The festival celebrates the inventions and changes of the renaissance period. Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays & 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Location: Crossroads Riverview Park 14600 River Rd, Corona, CA 92880. Cost: $18 Adult; $15 Child 5-11 or Senior 62+; $12 Military with valid ID; Children under 5 Free. www.renaissanceinfo.com/riverview

May 19-20 - Rail Festival - Perris
A weekend of fun for the whole family with live music, children's activities and special exhibits. Ride trains and trolleys all day plus a special mini "Run One where you can "take the throttle" on a real locomotive (there is an extracharge for this activity. 9AM-5PM. There will be live bluegrass music, a special parade of Los Angeles trolleys on our "Loop Line", children's bouncy tents, handcar rides, exhibits from the Knott's Berry Farm railroad as well as other special features.
There will also be food vendors on site for lunch. Both trolleys and diesel powered trains will operate on the mainline! This is a gated event, admission is $12 for adults, $8 children 5-11. This price includes unlimited rides on the trains and trolleys*. www.oerm.org

May 19-20 - Annual Muckenthaler Motorcar Festival - Fullerton
The oldest and grandest car show in North Orange County hosts Hot Rods and a Concours D’Elegance with the true classics of the automotive industry spread out over eight acres of lawns. While enjoying the cars, feast on Heroes’ Deli ribs and beer and listen to live music. Make sure to visit our special gallery exhibits featuring Pinewood Design ‘11 and car themed artwork in the main gallery. Proceeds benefit our childrens art programs. There will also be a special performance on Sunday, May 15, by Janet Klein and her Parlour Boys. They wowed us last year with their bawdy songs from the 1920s. Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern, Fullerton. 8am-2PM Sat, 10am-4pm Sunday. http://themuck.org/s/motor-car-festival

May 20 Civil War Reenactment - Ft. Tejon.
Ft Tejon was an actual Fort during the civil war days. It is between Bakersfield and LA in the Grapevine area on Hwy. 5
Battles are at 10:30AM and 1:00 PM on the 3rd Sunday during the Spring and Summer. Like all events, get there early to get the best images. battles are on the actual old Fort Tejon grounds among some of the old buildings. Bring lunch. http://www.forttejon.org/progcw.html

May 22-27 Mule Days Celebration - Bishop
Over 700 mules compete in 14 shows, plus a country music concert, parade, barbacue and dances. Every year during the Memorial Day Weekend, more than 700 mules compete in 181 events at the Bishop Mule Days Celebration. There is no way to actually describe Mule Days. It is part mule show, part test of skills, and part Wild West show. Situated on the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop, California, Mule Days has become an international world class event. Crowds have grown from 200 to more than 30,000 fans! Highlights of the Celebration include the Thursday night concert, featuring Country Music stars, the longest running non-motorized parade on Saturday morning, Steer roping and penning, an event normally reserved for quarter horses, and the Packer's Scramble – the wildest, noisiest and funniest event of the weekend.http://www.muledays.org/

Welcome to SoCal Photo Opps

Most all avid photographers are always looking for places to go to get new and good pictures. I have put together this blog to try and get the word out of upcoming events. Having been a member of many camera clubs over the years I know how it is, looking for someplace to photograph at the last moment.

This Blog is intended to list events of a photographic nature. It is not for listing classes, training or commercial ventures.

If you know of a good photographic event, you can share it with others by Emailing me at cowtech@earthlink.net

The Fine Print

SoCal Photo Opps is a place for photographers to find events in the area that might be photogenic and be worthy hauling out the camera.

Information posted on SoCal Photo Opps is gathered from personal observations, venue websites, web searches and information provided by other photographers. While every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information posted here, the operaters can not be held responsible for errors in dates and times posted.